Pekin man re-sentenced in 1978 killings of 3 family members

PEKIN, Ill. (AP) — A central Illinois man has been re-sentenced to life in prison in the 1978 killings of his mother, step-father and brother.

Jimmy Childers was 17 when convicted in the three murders. Childers, now 59, petitioned for the hearing in 2018 after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled two years earlier that life without parole is unconstitutional for a juvenile except for the rare homicide offender incapable of rehabilitation. Hundreds of offenders originally sentenced to life without parole as juveniles have been released nationwide.

“I beg this court to grant me the opportunity for a second chance at life,” Childers said.

His defense attorney, Karen Ranos, called four witnesses, including a psychologist who testified that Childers had been subjected to psychological abuse.

But prosecutors called it one of the most "appalling and horrific"' crimes in Tazewell County's history.

Childers’ mother, Norma and stepfather Robert Rotramel were both stabbed multiple times and shot. His 15-year-old brother, Warren, was stabbed multiple times.

“Whatever led to your decision to act out in that way cannot and will not be rationalized by this court,” Judge Katherine Gorman said as she handed down her ruling.